Folding table



June 16, 1925.

W. E. MARSH FOLDING TABLE Filed April 27, 1922 4 A ORNEY m myv Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLARD E. MARSH, OF IMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed April 27,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/VILLARD E. MARSH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, county of Shelby, State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable anyone skilled in the art to make and use the same.

The objects of my invention are, to make a table which will fold compactly, yet which will be strong and rigid when opened and set up, and in which the opening and folding may be easily and quickly, yet simply done. I accomplish these objects as will be more fully hereinafter set out in the drawings, specifications and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1, is a side View of the table opened and set up.

Fig. 2, is a similar end view thereof.

Fig. 3, is a plan showing the top of the table.

Fig. 4:, and Fig. 5, are respectively bottom and end views of the table when folded.

Fig. 6, is an enlarged sectional View of the top portion of one leg showing more clearly the latching means used thereon.

Fig. 7, is a plan View of the same detail.

Fig. 8, is a fragmentary View of the upper end of one leg showing a modification of the hinge used.

Referring now to the drawings, in which the various parts are indicated by numerals in all the views, 1., is the top of the tabi which is made up of an even number of sections, four such sections a, b, (r, 6!, being here shown, which sections are hinged together. I have accomplished this in the particular form shown, by using at each end of the table a chain 2, which is attached by means of pins 3, to the various sections a, b, c, d, of the table top. This chain serves as the hinge and permits the folding together of the sections.- The top of the sections a and i), the bottoms of the sections and 0, and the tops of the sections 0 and d, folding together respectively so that when folded, they occupy the positions shown in Figure 5. 4-4 are cross cleats which are each preferably fastened by a bolt or rivet 5, on which they pivot, to the under side of one of the outer sections a of the table,

1922. Serial No. 556,921.

near the opposite ends thereof. These cleats may, if desired be fastened one on each of the outer sections a and a, but this is not so convenient either in folding or setting up the table. When the table is folded, these cleats are turned longitudinally along the sections to which they are pivotally attached and occupy the position shown in a Figure 3. \Vhen the table is opened or set up, they are turned transversely across the table and each forms an adequate support for one end of all the sections of the top. The table is supported by means of four legs 6, two of which are shown in folded position in Fig. 4, the other two being on the diametrically opposite side thereof. The top end of each of the legs 6 is preferably split into two sections 77, which are spread apart to furnish a wider area and make a more stable support. Each of these sections has a plate 8 firmly screwed or bolted thereto extending beyond the top of the leg and disposed at an angle thereto, or

at least entirely to one side of the center of the leg at the top, so that the said plate maybe hinged by means of a bolt or pin 9 in a bracket 10, similarly located to one side of the center of the said leg when the same is opened. The location of the pin 9, is such that when fully opened, the top of the said leg will clamp tightly against the under side of the cross cleat 1 and hold it firmly against the under side of the table top. Four of these brackets 10, one for each leg, are firmly bolted or otherwise fastened to the under side of the outer sections a and 0 of the table top, by means of screws or bolts 11. Each leg 6 is firmly held when open, by means of a brace 12, preferably U shaped, one end of which is attached to the under side of the sections a or 0, as the case may be, by means of a clip 13 fastened to the said sections with screws or bolts 14, the said brace being hinged in the said brackets 13. The opposite end of the brace 12, is adapted to slide in a longitudinal groove 15, in its corresponding leg (3, and when the leg is fully opened, is rigidly held at the top of the groove by means of a latch 16, pivoted on a pin 17 passing through the leg. The latch 16 is preferably held in place means of a flat spring 18. fastened at one end to the leg. The detail of constrlu-tion of the latch is more clearly shown in the enlarged view Fig. 6, which shows the accessibility of the same and also the projecting end 16, by which the latch is retracted to release the brace 12.

To set up the table, the cleats l are turned transversely across the section a, of the top and the two legs 6 hinged to that section are opened out clamping the said cleats firmly against the underside of the said section. The other sections are then unfolded and the other legs opened to clamp the opposite ends of the cleats against the other outer section The table is then set up and the intermediate sections of the top forced flat against the cleats.

To fold the table the latches 16 are released on two of the legs and these folded against the top section; these top sections are then folded and the other two legs are released and folded and the cross cleats turned longitudinally.

lot will be especially noted that while I ha re shown the various sections of the table hinged together by means of the chain 2, that the same result may be accomplished by connecting these leaves by means of hinges of any of the usual forms. It will also be noted that while I have shown the top of the legs split and spread apart to form a brace for the legs, and while I prefer to make the table in that form, that this is not absolutely necessary, but the legs may be solid legs, firmly hinged to the under side of the sections a and 0 respectively, by means of a hinge 19, such as is shown in Fig. 8. In such case, a block 20 of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the cleat 4 may be fastened to the under side of the table 1, so that the top of the leg will clamp against the said cleat. It will be obvious also, that various other minor modifications may be made in the details so long as they do not depart materially from the spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention. what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. A folding table comprising a top made up of four sections so hinged together that the tops of the first and second and the tops of the third and fourth sections fold together and the bottoms of the second and third sections fold together, cleats each pivotally attached to the under side of one of the said sections near the opposite ends thereof and adapted to be turned transversely across all the said sections when the table is unfolded, legs each hinged to one of the said top sections and adapted to clamp the said cleats against the said sections when opened up, a brace for each of the said legs hinged at one end to the same section and having its opposite end sliding in a longitudinal groove in the said leg, a latch and a spring to force the said latch into en a ement with the said brace when the le is full o ened to lock the same in such position.

2. A folding table comprising a top made up of a plurality of sections hinged together in pairs, alternate pairs being so hinged that the tops of every other pair of sections fold together and the bottoms of the alternate pairs of sections fold together, cleats each pivotally attached to the under side of one of the said sections near the opposite ends thereof and adapted to be turned transversely across all the said sections when the table is unfolded, legs each hinged to one of the said top sections and adapted to clamp the said cleats against the said sections when opened up, a brace for each of the said legs hinged at one end to the same section and having its opposite end sliding in a longitudinal groove in the said leg, a latch and a spring to force the said latch into engagement with the said brace, when the leg is fully opened to lock the same in such position.

3. A folding table comprising a top made up of a. plurality of sections hinged together, cleats adapted to lie transversely across near opposite ends of the said sections when the table is unfolded l each Comprising :1.

a single piece having its top end bifurcated and spread apart, a hinge for each of said leg sections, fastened to said top section adjacent said cleats in transverse position, whereby the ends of said leg sections will each abut against said cleats when said cleats are in transverse position, and each leg clamp said cleat against said top section at two separated places when said legs are fully opened and means for bracing said legs in such opened position.

4. A folding table comprising a top, cleats transversely disposed across near 0pposite ends of the said top, legs each comprising a single piece having its top end bifurcated and spread apart, a hinge for each of said leg sections, fastened to said top section, adjacent said cleats, whereby the ends of said leg sections will each abut and clamp against said cleats at two sep arated places when said legs are fully opened and means for bracing said legs in such opened position.

5. A folding table comprising a top made up of a plurality of sections hinged together, it

cleats adapted to lie transversely across near opposite ends of the said sections when the table is unfolded, legs hinged to the said top sections and adapted to clamp the said cleats against the said sections when opened up, a U shaped brace for each of the said legs hinged at one end to one of the said sections and having its opposite end sliding in a longitudinal groove in the said leg, a latch and a spring to force the said latch into engagement With the said brace to lock the same, when the leg is fully opened.

6. A folding table comprising a top made up of a plurality of sections hinged together, cleats each pivotally attached to the under side of the same section near opposite ends thereof and adapted to be turned transversely across all the said sections When the table is unfolded, legs each hinged to one of the said top sections and adapted to clamp the said cleats against the said sections when opened up, a brace for each of the said legs hinged at one end to the same section and having its opposite end sliding in a longitudinal groove in the said leg, a latch and a spring to forcethe said latch into engagement with the said brace, when the leg is fully opened to lock the same in such position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name.

XVILLARD E. MARSH. Witnesses C. J. MURRAY, L. E. WALDEN. 

